舞台は瀬戸内海に面した広島県備後市（市名は架空の名称）。高度経済成長時代の1962年（昭和37年）、運送会社に勤務する28歳のヤスは愛妻・美佐子の間に息子・アキラが誕生し、生涯最高の喜びに浸っていた。美佐子とともにアキラの成長を見守り、幸せな日々を過ごしていたが、ある日、ヤスが連れて行った仕事場でアキラを庇った美佐子が事故死してしまう。ヤスはその日から幼くして父親に捨てられた悲しみと美佐子を亡くした後悔を乗り越えながら、アキラを不器用ながら真っ直ぐに育てていく。
Ясуо вырос сиротой. Затем он женился и у него появился сын — Акира. Жизнь Ясуо казалась великолепной, но вскоре произошла трагедия — его жена умерла в результате несчастного случая...
Ichikawa Yasuo, who goes by the nickname Yasu, is a 'dumb' man unequal anywhere in the world. He has not had schooling, is boorish and would immediately let his fists fly if he loses his cool. But Yasu is different from the ordinary fool in that he is a "doting parent". He grew up without parents and does not knows what it is like to be close, but he and his wife love each other and live happily as they watch their son Akira grow up. However, when Akira is 3 years old, they are suddenly struck by tragedy. Yasu loses his wife in a freak accident. Although overcome with guilt and sorrow, Yasu puts it behind him and tries to raise his beloved son with the help of his friends.
